Abstract
A provocation looking at the concept of a "Just City".
There is a constant stream of reports on urban and economic development from Whitehall. A review of policy papers over the past two decades reveals that the same issues predominate, regardless of the colour of the government. So-called ‘left-behind’ post-industrial places are not sharing in the country’s growth. There are specific deprivation problems affecting coastal communities and post-war new towns. The UK’s infrastructure is outdated, and its housing market is failing to deliver affordable accommodation. Yet despite the attention given to these issues, performance on metrics such as homelessness, hunger and inequality continues to worsen. It might seem as though the challenges are too great, but solutions exist. After all, inequality is a product of policy choices. Orientating decisions towards justice can therefore create real change.
‘Build back better’ and ‘levelling up’ are the latest in a series of slogans heralding a mission to tackle regional disparities. In the wake of Covid-19 there have been unprecedented interventions by the government in the economy. The pandemic could be an opportunity to reflect on structural issues in our society and make some fundamental changes. Looking ahead, we must ask: by what mechanisms can inclusive growth be achieved? What are the barriers to achieving just development? What might the future look like? This think-piece explores these issues. It contends that building a fairer future necessitates learning from national and international success while adapting to local conditions, articulating shared visions between the public and its institutions, and setting ambitious strategies on social and spatial justice.
There is a constant stream of reports on urban and economic development from Whitehall. A review of policy papers over the past two decades reveals that the same issues predominate, regardless of the colour of the government. So-called ‘left-behind’ post-industrial places are not sharing in the country’s growth. There are specific deprivation problems affecting coastal communities and post-war new towns. The UK’s infrastructure is outdated, and its housing market is failing to deliver affordable accommodation. Yet despite the attention given to these issues, performance on metrics such as homelessness, hunger and inequality continues to worsen. It might seem as though the challenges are too great, but solutions exist. After all, inequality is a product of policy choices. Orientating decisions towards justice can therefore create real change.
‘Build back better’ and ‘levelling up’ are the latest in a series of slogans heralding a mission to tackle regional disparities. In the wake of Covid-19 there have been unprecedented interventions by the government in the economy. The pandemic could be an opportunity to reflect on structural issues in our society and make some fundamental changes. Looking ahead, we must ask: by what mechanisms can inclusive growth be achieved? What are the barriers to achieving just development? What might the future look like? This think-piece explores these issues. It contends that building a fairer future necessitates learning from national and international success while adapting to local conditions, articulating shared visions between the public and its institutions, and setting ambitious strategies on social and spatial justice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2021 |
